Dorothy Mae (Bochek) Leist

     Dorothy Mae (Bochek) Leist, 96, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at Door County Medical Center.

     She was born September 8, 1926, the daughter of the late John and Mary (Brauer) Bochek. Dorothy married John T. Leist on October 20, 1945 at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute. Together they owned and operated their centennial dairy farm in the Town of Sevastopol. They were hard-working but always looked forward after chores to being on the lake boating and fishing when they could, especially Sunday summer afternoons and on the ice, fishing in winter. John preceded her in death on January 23, 1989.

     Dorothy was a member of S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where she was active singing with the choir, Christian Mothers and assisting with funeral dinners. Dorothy had a deep faith, was devoted to Mary and the rosary. Dorothy was eternally optimistic as she always was willing to help “make things right”. She was kind, loving, warm and always welcoming and made everyone feel at home. When asked, she freely was glad to give her wise advice to family and friends.

     She loved gardening, canning, cooking, crocheting, playing cards (winning her last cribbage game this past Saturday). Above all, she most enjoyed watching her family grow.

     Her family includes her four children and their families, Thomas (Karen) Leist, Edward (Diane) Leist, Mary (Mark) Vandenbusch, Katherine (Thomas) McCaulley; she was “Grandma Mema” to 14 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

     Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brother, Edwin (Ora) Bochek; five sisters, Mary (Clayton) Haen, Clara (Harold) Hogan, Frances (Cecil “Butch”) Sorenson, Elaine (Edwin “Buck”) Anschutz, and Agnes (Frank) Kuehn.

     Dorothy's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023 at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute with Fr. Robert Stegmann and Fr. Anthony Birdsall concelebrating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

     Friends may call at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a parish wake service to be held at 7:30 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at the church on Monday at 9:45 a.m. with visitation continuing from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

     “Special thank you to the loving and caring nursing staffs at Door County Medical Center ICU, Sturgeon Bay Health Services, and Cherry Cove.”

     Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Dorothy may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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